7. Acie Law IV
While attending Texas A&M University, point guard Acie Law IV was nicknamed “Captain Clutch.” He was also a Bob Cousy Award winner, an AP All-American, a Wooden Award Finalist and respected scholar-athlete.
When it was all said and done, Law went down as one of the best of his time.
Statistically speaking, Law was one of the most productive players in the nation. During his senior season, he averaged 18.1 points, 5.0 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals on a slash line of .500/.458/.778.
No matter how impressive his numbers may have been, it was specific games that created his legacy—the games where Law’s team needed him most.
From January 20 to February 5 of 2007, Law led three wins over ranked teams. The most notable victory came on February 3, 2007, as Law and the Aggies made history.
Entering the game, Texas A&M had never once defeated the Kansas Jayhawks on the road. With the conference lead on the line, however, Law re-wrote history and made A&M 1-31 at Allen Fieldhouse.
Head coach Billie Gillispie described the events.
“We just hung in there and let Acie [Law] take over,” Texas A&M coach Billy Gillispie said. “It was his game. I called for something else [on the 3-pointer over Rush] but he called for something else. He wanted it and he got it.”
That’s the story of his career.
Law stepped up and took over in the clutch on countless other occasions. In the process, he led the Aggies to their first Sweet Sixteen appearance since 1980. He did so by scoring the final four points in A&M’s 72-69 victory over Louisville.
Following those events, Law went 11th overall in the 2007 NBA Draft. He proceeded to play for five teams in four years in the NBA before opting to go overseas in 2011.
Law started in Serbia, signing with Partizan Belgrade. After playing 22 games for the club, Law found his biggest break yet.
Law signed on with the famed Olympiacos B.C. team in 2012. Although limited in minutes due to his unfamiliarity with the European style of play, he helped push the team through the postseason.
Law and Olympiacos won both the Greek League and Euroleague championships. He was re-signed by the team shortly thereafter.
Law continues to be the point guard for one of the most powerful teams in Europe. Now if that’s not a tale of success, what more are you looking for?
8. Kalin Lucas
When a school is as decorated as Michigan State, you know that this is high praise—Jalin Lucas is one of the greatest Spartans of all-time. That may seem like a stretch, but the numbers and accolades speak for themselves.
Despite standing at just 6’1″, Lucas is the school’s all-time leader in free throws made and attempted. He’s also one of four Michigan State alum to finish with at least 1,500 points and 500 assists.
If that’s not enough, Lucas was the 2009 Big Ten Player of the Year award.
Lucas was the type of player that knew how to get the crowd on their feet and the opponent on their heels. Whether he was penetrating and kicking it out to an open shooter or spotting up for a three-ball, himself, Lucas knew how to collapse a defense and make the impossible, possible.
That was on full display during the 2009 NCAA Tournament, as Lucas scored 7 points during the final 49.1 seconds of a 67-62 Sweet Sixteen victory over Kansas—the score was 60-60 when Lucas started his scoring streak.
Unfortunately, Lucas battled injuries and failed to build enough momentum to be drafted in 2011.
Since then, Lucas has carved out quite the impressive career along the European front. Lucas played well for famed club Olympiacos, floating around 20 minutes per game and providing quality contributions to a high-profile team
Since January 29, 2012, however, Lucas has been playing for Banvit of the Turkish Basketball League. He’s performed very well in Euro Cup and TBL play, thus establishing a status as one of the rising stars in Europe.
At 23, the future is bright for Kalin Lucas.
Superb post, Added to my bookmarks – gotta show
it to my friends